At a Glance
- The Jan. 15, 2026 New York Times Mini Crossword hides its theme in the first two Across clues
- Solvers must read 1-Across and 4-Across together to reveal the trick
- Every clue in the puzzle contains exactly two words
- Why it matters: Casual solvers can shave minutes off their time by spotting the pattern early
The daily Mini Crossword usually takes under five minutes, but January 15, 2026 turned into a head-scratcher when the opening clues refused to make sense on their own. According to News Of Los Angeles, the puzzle’s designer tucked the key insight into a two-part clue that only works when read side-by-side.
How the Hidden Theme Works
1-Across asks for a “Feature of …” while 4-Across ends with “… every clue.” Put together, the full sentence reads: “Feature of every clue.” The answer pair-TWO and WORDS-spells out the gimmick: every clue that day is exactly two words long.
Once that clicks, the rest of the grid falls into place:
- 6-Across: Kindle download → EBOOK
- 7-Across: Attempt again → RETRY
- 8-Across: Peering pair? → EYES
Down answers follow the same two-word rule:
- 1-Down: Actor Maguire → TOBEY
- 2-Down: Jotted (down) → WROTE
- 3-Down: Foul smells → ODORS
- 4-Down: Had been → WERE
- 5-Down: Rainbow’s place → SKY
Quick Fixes for Future Puzzles
If you hit a similar wall, Ethan R. Coleman recommends scanning the clue list for length patterns before filling a single square. Spotting a universal two-word format early can turn a stalled solve into a sub-two-minute finish.
Remember: the Mini loves to hide meta-hints in plain sight-always read the first few Across clues as a single sentence before committing to answers.
